The sentences above are taken from both addresses. They are compared to show that Obama use the same method in developing his addresses. The idea that
he links with the chosen theme can be seen from the content of the subject topical theme and in the Rheme. In the sample number 2, he puts a part of the
government that controls the national finance as the subject and therefore it is the topic of the clause. He mentions that it is a responsible party that has to work in a
more reliable way in ord er to bring back the people‘s vital trust to the government.
However, in the sample number 3, however, he points other nations as the subject of his sentence. For him, there are other nations that gain benefit from the
natural resources that should utilize natural resources more wisely in order to maintain the continuity of natural resources for the less fortunate countries. While
in sample number 1, 4, 5, and 6, the subject is ―we‖. ―We‖ refers to Obama as the sayer and the citizens, the government, or in short is the America itself. In the
Rheme, Obama embeds the obligations which America should do. They are related to the solution of the crisis attributed with the values such as tolerance and
opportunity, human dignity and justice. He believes that those values are the essence of the American creed so that all the actions taken to solve the crises must
base on those values. He also says that those responsibilities should be done in his term of service. This implies his optimism and his capability in leading the nations
and the Americans are wished to possess the same attitude and support the government‘s instruction. So, ―and‖ as the given textual theme shows that all the
mentioned obligations are equally important r egarding that ―and‖ gives also a
parallel level in linking the clauses. Therefore, the ideas in each sentence are made into a coherence showing that they are in the same level of importance for Obama.
b. Interpersonal Theme
Interpersonal theme is found in the use of vocative which is a direct address to a persona, comment adjunct which shows the speaker‘s comment on
the subject of speaking, or the projecting clause that construct writer viewpoint. In both addresses, Obama mostly uses the projecting clauses to show his
viewpoint toward the subject he speaks about. There are also interpersonal themes in the form of vocative. They are exemplified below:
1. For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. 77, XXI, a
For we know that
our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.
Textual Projecting Projected
Rheme Theme
2. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we
consume the worlds resources without regard to effect. 84, XXIII, a
And to
those nations
like ours
that enjoy relative
plenty we say
We can no longer afford indifference to the
suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the worlds resources without
regard to effect.
Textual Purpose Projecting Projected
Subject Rheme
Theme
3. America, In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. 109, XXXI, a
America, In the face of our
common dangers, in this winter of our
hardship, Let
us remember these timeless words.
Vocative Location
Predicate Rheme
Theme
4. We believe that America‘s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a
rising middle class. 28, XI, b
We believe that
America‘s prosperity
must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class.
Projecting Projected
Rheme Theme
5. We understand that outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time. 31, XII, b
We understand that outworn programs
are inadequate to the needs of our time.
Projecting Projected
Rheme Theme
6. My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not
party or faction. 79, XXIV, b
My fellow Americans,
the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in
this Capitol, was an oath to God
and country, not party or faction.
Vocative Topical
Rheme Theme
In the first address sentence 109, XXXI, a, Obama addresses the specific hearer as ―America‖. It sounds like he speaks inclusively to the nation as whole
whether to inside for those in the state boundary or to those Americans who are abroad. This chosen vocative is effective to invite the people to agree on his
ideology which actually bases on the America n Founding Fathers‘ thought. In
contrast, it also shows that Obama is aware of his position which is the leader of America. Having the highest position in the state means is what enables him to
speak to all Americans in such way. He attaches also a quotation from the founding documents in order to validate his own words. Therefore, he exercises
his power through the language. In the second address sentence 79, XXIV, b, Obama addresses the people
as ―My fellow Americans‖. The word fellow makes him seem equal to the rest of
the citizens. It brings closeness between the leader and the people that affects on the people‘s adjustment on the desired attitude to their leader figure. From the
content of the Rheme, it is known that Obama elevates the importance of his oath in the inauguration ceremony to be as equal as the former presidents and even the
Founding Fathers of America. It can be inferred that he knows the potential he has by being a president of the United States so that he is able to play the role to
substantiate his rules. Besides vocative, Obama uses the projecting clause to deliver his views
ab out America‘s crisis. The verbs in the projecting clause bring the mental
processes know, understand, believe and also verbal processes say which are able to project an idea or the speaker‘s thoughts. The topical theme is the subject
in the projected clause. The projecting clauses using mental or verbal process make a strong stance of the speaker toward the idea that he speak about. He does
not use the projecting clause in the form of indirect address but he uses it to speak on the behalf of the people. This choice of structure shows that Obama has a
strong conviction on the topic he talks about. The topic he brings with the projecting clause in the first address is about
the strength of American journey that is incomplete sentence 77, XXI, a and an outlook for all nations that refuses an indifferent attitude in exploiting world
resources sentence 84, XXIII, a. In the second address, he talks about the programs which are considered to be inadequate to meet the current situation
sentence 28, XI, b. He also builds up a new belief that the rising middle class is the ground of the America‘s prosperity sentence 31, XII, b. When he projects the
